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From influential figures to infamous personalities, here are some of the local newsmakers who passed away this year
MANILA, Philippines – In 2016, news on the deaths of some of the most respected politicians, pioneers, and icons came almost one after the other.
There were also heartbreaking stories of inspiring Filipinos who were gone too soon.
Meanwhile, a number of infamous personalities made the headlines due to the circumstances of their deaths.
Here is a list of some of the local newsmakers who passed away this year.
In the gallery below, the surnames or screen names are arranged in alphabetical order. Click on a photo to read more. Click the arrow to the left or right of the photo to navigate through the gallery.
Helena Zoila Benitez, 102
Former senator
As the 7th elected woman-senator (1967-72), Benitez championed environmental protection, women’s rights, education, and culture and the arts. File photo by Joseph Vidal/Senate PRIB“>
Benitez
Former senator
As the 7th elected woman-senator (1967-72), Benitez championed environmental protection, women’s rights, education, and culture and the arts. File photo by Joseph Vidal/Senate PRIB“>
Stephen Bosworth, 76
Former US ambassador to the Philippines
He was the US envoy to the country during the People Power Revolution in 1986. Photo by Salvatore di Nolfi/EPA“>
Bosworth
Former US ambassador to the Philippines
He was the US envoy to the country during the People Power Revolution in 1986. Photo by Salvatore di Nolfi/EPA“>
Antonio Cabangon-Chua, 81
Businessman, former ambassador to Laos
Founder of the ALC Group of Companies, Cabangon-Chua served as ambassador to Laos during the Arroyo administration.”>
Cabangon-Chua
Businessman, former ambassador to Laos
Founder of the ALC Group of Companies, Cabangon-Chua served as ambassador to Laos during the Arroyo administration.”>
Renato Corona, 67
Former Supreme Court Chief Justice
Corona was impeached and dismissed from office in 2012 after being found guilty of betraying the public trust and violating the Constitution for failing to truthfully declare his assets.”>
Corona
Former Supreme Court Chief Justice
Corona was impeached and dismissed from office in 2012 after being found guilty of betraying the public trust and violating the Constitution for failing to truthfully declare his assets.”>
Virgilio "Baby" Dalupan, 92
Basketball coach
The legendary PBA coach won a total of 15 championships for Crispa, Great Taste, and Purefoods.”>
Dalupan
Basketball coach
The legendary PBA coach won a total of 15 championships for Crispa, Great Taste, and Purefoods.”>
Ricardo "Dick Israel" Michaca, 68
Actor
Dick Israel is one of the perennial villains on the big and small screens. Screengrab from YouTube/ABS-CBN News“>
Dick Israel
Actor
Dick Israel is one of the perennial villains on the big and small screens. Screengrab from YouTube/ABS-CBN News“>
Erwin Dolera, 24
"Bangkang Papel" boy
Dolera, who died from pneumonia as reported by dzMM, was one of the 3 "Bangkang Papel" boys presented by then-president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in her 2001 State of the Nation Address (SONA). Photo from Twitter account”>
Dolera
"Bangkang Papel" boy
Dolera, who died from pneumonia as reported by dzMM, was one of the 3 "Bangkang Papel" boys presented by then-president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in her 2001 State of the Nation Address (SONA). Photo from Twitter account”>
Enrique "Tet" Garcia Jr, 75
Vice Governor-elect, Bataan
Garcia was a longtime governor and 1st district representative of Bataan, and had just been elected as the vice governor in the 2016 polls. Photo from Wikipilipinas”>
Garcia
Vice Governor-elect, Bataan
Garcia was a longtime governor and 1st district representative of Bataan, and had just been elected as the vice governor in the 2016 polls. Photo from Wikipilipinas”>
Japal Guiani Jr, 56
Mayor, Cotabato City
Guiani was mayor of Cotabato City since 2010. Photo from City Government of Cotabato Facebook account”>
Guiani
Mayor, Cotabato City
Guiani was mayor of Cotabato City since 2010. Photo from City Government of Cotabato Facebook account”>
Luis Katigbak, 41
Writer, author, and columnist
Katigbak received multiple recognitions, including 4 Palanca Awards, a Philippine Graphic prize, and the Young Artists’ Grant from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. Screengrab from Luis Katigbak’s Facebook account“>
Katigbak
Writer, author, and columnist
Katigbak received multiple recognitions, including 4 Palanca Awards, a Philippine Graphic prize, and the Young Artists’ Grant from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. Screengrab from Luis Katigbak’s Facebook account“>
Arturo Lachica, 57
Deputy commissioner, Bureau of Customs
Lachica, head of the BOC’s Internal Administration Group, was ambushed in Manila. Photo from LinkedIn profile“>
Lachica
Deputy commissioner, Bureau of Customs
Lachica, head of the BOC’s Internal Administration Group, was ambushed in Manila. Photo from LinkedIn profile“>
Tupay Loong, 69
Representative, 1st District of Sulu
Loong was among the founders of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), but he later quit to join government. He was elected governor of Sulu for 3 separate terms. Photo from House of Representatives website”>
Loong
Representative, 1st District of Sulu
Loong was among the founders of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), but he later quit to join government. He was elected governor of Sulu for 3 separate terms. Photo from House of Representatives website”>
Caitlin Soleil Lucas, 3
Also known as "Courageous Caitie"
Baby Caitlin suffered from juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia, a rare cancer of the blood affecting infants and toddlers. Image courtesy of the Courageous Caitie Facebook page“>
Lucas
Also known as "Courageous Caitie"
Baby Caitlin suffered from juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia, a rare cancer of the blood affecting infants and toddlers. Image courtesy of the Courageous Caitie Facebook page“>
Nestor Mantaring, 68
Former director, National Bureau of Investigation
Mantaring rose from the ranks, becoming NBI director from 2006 to 2010. Photo from PCIJ blog”>
Mantaring
Former director, National Bureau of Investigation
Mantaring rose from the ranks, becoming NBI director from 2006 to 2010. Photo from PCIJ blog”>
Democrito Mendoza, 92
Labor leader
Mendoza, co-founder of the Trade Union Congress Party, was one of the founding fathers of the labor movement in the Philippines. Image from Facebook“>
Mendoza
Labor leader
Mendoza, co-founder of the Trade Union Congress Party, was one of the founding fathers of the labor movement in the Philippines. Image from Facebook“>
Ronnie Nathanielsz, 81
Sportswriter
A recognizable and respected voice in Philippine sports, Nathanielsz was the spitfire sportswriter who bridged the eras of boxing legends Gabriel "Flash" Elorde and Manny Pacquiao.”>
Nathanielz
Sportswriter
A recognizable and respected voice in Philippine sports, Nathanielsz was the spitfire sportswriter who bridged the eras of boxing legends Gabriel "Flash" Elorde and Manny Pacquiao.”>
Melvin "Boyet" Odicta
Businessman, alleged drug lord
The suspected drug lord and his wife Meriam were gunned down in Aklan, barely a week after he met with Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno to clear their names from drug links. Photo from Western Visayas police“>
Odicta
Businessman, alleged drug lord
The suspected drug lord and his wife Meriam were gunned down in Aklan, barely a week after he met with Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno to clear their names from drug links. Photo from Western Visayas police“>
Francis Xavier Pasion, 38
Director
Pasion was known for his award-winning independent films Jay and Bwaya. Photo by Jude Bautista/Rappler“>
Pasion
Director
Pasion was known for his award-winning independent films Jay and Bwaya. Photo by Jude Bautista/Rappler“>
Rodolfo Reyes, 80
Journalist, former press secretary
A multi-awarded journalist, he served as press secretary under presidents Ramos and Estrada. Photo from the Ateneo Library of Women’s Writings“>
Reyes
Journalist, former press secretary
A multi-awarded journalist, he served as press secretary under presidents Ramos and Estrada. Photo from the Ateneo Library of Women’s Writings“>
Jovito Salonga, 95
Former Senate president
Salonga was one of the country’s most esteemed statesmen. He survived the Plaza Miranda bombing, was elected to the Senate 3 times, and headed the Presidential Commission on Good Goverment.”>
Salonga
Former Senate president
Salonga was one of the country’s most esteemed statesmen. He survived the Plaza Miranda bombing, was elected to the Senate 3 times, and headed the Presidential Commission on Good Goverment.”>
Roy Señeres Sr, 68
Representative, OFW Family Club party list
Vowing to end contractualization, he ran for president in 2016 but withdrew from the race days before the start of the campaign period. File photo by Czeasar Dancel/Rappler“>
Señeres
Representative, OFW Family Club party list
Vowing to end contractualization, he ran for president in 2016 but withdrew from the race days before the start of the campaign period. File photo by Czeasar Dancel/Rappler“>
Gabriel Singson, 87
Former governor, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
Singson is credited with laying the foundation of a strong central bank and banking system that helped the Philippines withstand, among other global challenges, the 1997 Asian financial crisis better than its neighbors. Photo from Ateneo de Manila University website“>
Singson
Former governor, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
Singson is credited with laying the foundation of a strong central bank and banking system that helped the Philippines withstand, among other global challenges, the 1997 Asian financial crisis better than its neighbors. Photo from Ateneo de Manila University website“>
Wenceslao "Peewee" Trinidad, 82
Former mayor, Pasay City
He was mayor of Pasay City from 2000 to 2010. Photo from Trinidad’s Facebook page”>
Trinidad
Former mayor, Pasay City
He was mayor of Pasay City from 2000 to 2010. Photo from Trinidad’s Facebook page”>
Joy Viado, 57
Actress, comedian
Viado portrayed funny, colorful characters in many TV shows and movies. Photo from Facebook”>
Viado
Actress, comedian
Viado portrayed funny, colorful characters in many TV shows and movies. Photo from Facebook”>
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